You’ve heard people say, “It’s who you know, not what you know.” There is truth in that comment, but if you can work with a relevant ‘who-you-know’ and have the qualities and skill sets for the job you want, you will increase your chances of getting in front of a hiring manager and potentially getting the job you want. Social media is becoming more and more valuable in the job search, so take a look at Don Goodman’s suggestions on “How to Respond to Job Openings on LinkedIn” for using LinkedIn more effectively in your job search strategy.

If you are only sending your resume out to jobs you discover, you are missing an entire option during a job search. Consider promoting yourself in places where recruiters and hiring managers might see you. Jessica Holbrook Hernandez reports statistics show 90% of employers search online for candidates, and even if you are involved in social media sites, you really need your resume online, as well. Hernandez suggests “3 Tips to Avoid Missing Out on New Job Opportunities,” including posting a web resume, creating a professional blog, and creating a professional website or portfolio. Read further details HERE.

Personal Branding is often mentioned in career and professional development conversations. Sean Harry provides several solid suggestions about promoting your brand in the article “7 Key Ways to Promote Your Personal Brand.” Two extremely easy and effective suggestions include investing in a personal business card and – my favorite – send a Thank You card. Read more about these suggestions and five more here.

Don’t take an old career services counselor’s word for it; listen to what a recent graduate has to say about “6 Things I Wish I Knew About Job Search in College.” Career Services ‘preaches’ every one of the suggestions given by Nadia Kuznets, but she tells the story from a peer’s perspective. See her tips here.

Don’t get burned by your own social media online profile. Use common sense and note that employers check out online profiles more and more, and what they find on your profile may lead to dropping you as a candidate for the job! Check out these red flags listed in a survey by CareerBuilder in this short article by Venessa Wong.

If statistics show 40% of all hires come from employee referrals, making the old phrase ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ relevant to today’s job search, what are you waiting for?! Belen Chacon, in her article “How to Find Your First Job,” suggests using your network and social media connections to be more effective at finding the jobs that are out there.